Content Objective: Students will be able to effectively use narrative structure and techniques in their own writing.

Language Objective: Students will write and review the main body paragraphs of their personal narratives.

Agenda: We will spend all period in H-201 working on the narrative. Here are some things you should keep in mind when structuring your narratives:

Paragraph 1: start where the action is; get your reader hooked (make sure you're not giving away everything in your first paragraph, just enough for your readers to want to read more.) Paragraph 2: This is where your flashback starts - What happened first to lead up to your event? Make sure to use at least two sensory details per paragraph, this means you have to write in a way that shows your reader what is going on and paints a vivid picture of your story.Paragraph 3: What happened after paragraph 2? Again, include at least two sensory details. Paragraph 4, 5, 6... (however many you planned in your outline): lead up to your event, which will be the climax of your narrative.

Be vivid and detailed (at least two sensory details per paragraph)

Avoid cliches.

Include the most interesting aspects of your story, anything that ads surprise or may not be expected

If you are using dialogue, make sure to punctuate correctly and write "natural" dialogue; you don't want to sound "fake" or stilted

Pace yourself. Slow down when readers need all the details, speed up when they don't.

After this climactic event, you will write your exposition paragraphs (how did this event affect you and why should your readers care?) as the conclusion of your narrative.

During the last 15-20 minutes of class find someone else to read over your narrative and get their feedback:

What works? What do they really like?

Where do they have any question? Anything that confuses them?

What do they want to see more of?

Revise your narrative based on this feedback and be ready to move into your exposition (the "So, what Aspect") of your narrative next period.

Assignments: Remember to save your work and bring it to class with you. You should finish the main body of your narrative during this period.

On your own time, remember to work on your independent reading project, which is due on January 10! Email Ms. F with any questions.